© 2004-2007 the small cake company. all rights reserved.
Here are some commonly asked questions:
Q. How much do your cakes cost?
A. We do not give out a price list because every cake is specifically designed and custom-made for each client. Most special event, sculpted wedding, and corporate cakes are priced based on the design complexity and the number of servings. However, there is a minimum charge of $350 on all wedding cakes and $85 on all other cakes.
Q. Do you have a catalog or brochure you can send me?
A. We do not use a catalogue or brochure for the small cake company other than the website. Every cake is custom-designed per our client's request so the website acts as a portfolio for you to see some of our previous cake work. Email or call us about your cake needs and we can create something tailored just for you.
Q. Do you make wedding cakes?
A. Yes. For further information on wedding cakes, please contact us either by email or phone.
Q. Do you make sheet cakes?
A. No. We do not make standard sheets cakes as part of our business. Our approach to our craft is to give our clients unique, one-of-a-kind cakes that they can not get anywhere else. We always suggest that if a client wants a sheet cake they are better off going to a buying club or grocery store.
Q. How far in advance should I order a cake?
A. As we are a small, specialized studio, we may book up quickly during certain times of the year. Our schedule works on a "first come first serve" basis. Once we are fully booked, we are unable to take further orders. We require a minimum of two weeks on birthday and anniversary cakes but for special occasions, wedding cakes, and corporate events we suggest a minimum of three months. Please call or email us for availability - we will try to help you if we can. (Please note: a date is not reserved in our calendar until formal paperwork and a deposit are received.)
Q. Are you able to ship your cakes?
A. At this time, we will not ship cakes. Cakes are fragile things and may get damaged in transit. We do offer free delivery in Charlottesville and are able to deliver as far away as Richmond and Washington D.C. For details on long distance deliveries, please contact us.
Q. How do I sort out a consultation with you?
A. Unfortunately, we aren't able to meet with every client to discuss a cake's design and we only offer consultations for wedding cakes or cakes designed for 50+ servings. All of our clients, regardless of cake size or event, receive a fully comprehensive and detailed plan of their cake before they place an order to ensure 100% client satisfaction.
Q. Do you teach classes?
A. Shawnee teaches and demonstrates to small and large groups alike. She currently teaches private and public workshops. For further details on private lessons or group demonstrations, please email us.
Q. Do you make anything other than speciality cakes?
A. Our main focus is creating unique, one-of-a-kind cakes for our clients and so we do not make cookies, pies, tarts, etc.
Q. Is there a difference between a cake decorator and a cake designer?
A. For us, there is. Many do not make a distinction between a cake designer and decorator, but there are big differences between the two that will affect what kind of cake you will get and how much you will pay for it. Cake decorators are typically those who do not come up with cake designs, but rather follow someone else's. In contrast, a cake designer is trained not just to decorate but brainstorm, sketch, lay out, and plan a cake from start to finish. Cake designers are similar to commercial artists, fashion designers, architects, or engineers - they are educated in what makes good design and how to achieve the best possible effects given the raw materials they work with.
Q. How much do your cakes cost?
A. We do not give out a price list because every cake is specifically designed and custom-made for each client. Most special event, sculpted wedding, and corporate cakes are priced based on the design complexity and the number of servings. However, there is a minimum charge of $350 on all wedding cakes and $85 on all other cakes.
Q. Do you have a catalog or brochure you can send me?
A. We do not use a catalogue or brochure for the small cake company other than the website. Every cake is custom-designed per our client's request so the website acts as a portfolio for you to see some of our previous cake work. Email or call us about your cake needs and we can create something tailored just for you.
Q. Do you make wedding cakes?
A. Yes. For further information on wedding cakes, please contact us either by email or phone.
Q. Do you make sheet cakes?
A. No. We do not make standard sheets cakes as part of our business. Our approach to our craft is to give our clients unique, one-of-a-kind cakes that they can not get anywhere else. We always suggest that if a client wants a sheet cake they are better off going to a buying club or grocery store.
Q. How far in advance should I order a cake?
A. As we are a small, specialized studio, we may book up quickly during certain times of the year. Our schedule works on a "first come first serve" basis. Once we are fully booked, we are unable to take further orders. We require a minimum of two weeks on birthday and anniversary cakes but for special occasions, wedding cakes, and corporate events we suggest a minimum of three months. Please call or email us for availability - we will try to help you if we can. (Please note: a date is not reserved in our calendar until formal paperwork and a deposit are received.)
Q. Are you able to ship your cakes?
A. At this time, we will not ship cakes. Cakes are fragile things and may get damaged in transit. We do offer free delivery in Charlottesville and are able to deliver as far away as Richmond and Washington D.C. For details on long distance deliveries, please contact us.
Q. How do I sort out a consultation with you?
A. Unfortunately, we aren't able to meet with every client to discuss a cake's design and we only offer consultations for wedding cakes or cakes designed for 50+ servings. All of our clients, regardless of cake size or event, receive a fully comprehensive and detailed plan of their cake before they place an order to ensure 100% client satisfaction.
Q. Do you teach classes?
A. Shawnee teaches and demonstrates to small and large groups alike. She currently teaches private and public workshops. For further details on private lessons or group demonstrations, please email us.
Q. Do you make anything other than speciality cakes?
A. Our main focus is creating unique, one-of-a-kind cakes for our clients and so we do not make cookies, pies, tarts, etc.
Q. Is there a difference between a cake decorator and a cake designer?
A. For us, there is. Many do not make a distinction between a cake designer and decorator, but there are big differences between the two that will affect what kind of cake you will get and how much you will pay for it. Cake decorators are typically those who do not come up with cake designs, but rather follow someone else's. In contrast, a cake designer is trained not just to decorate but brainstorm, sketch, lay out, and plan a cake from start to finish. Cake designers are similar to commercial artists, fashion designers, architects, or engineers - they are educated in what makes good design and how to achieve the best possible effects given the raw materials they work with.
